Williamstown shuts out Doddridge County, moves to 8-0

Williamstown's defense stopped Doddridge County twice inside the red zone and the Yellowjackets won 27-0 last Friday night.

Doddridge County opened the game by converting two third downs and moving 88 yards across two possessions. Tailback Brandon Davis fumbled a first-and-10 carry near the goal line and Williamstown's Jack Moore recovered. On the Bulldogs' second series, Evan Cross' fourth-and-7 pass to Davis went for six yards, short of the first down. Williamstown led 7-0 and the Bulldogs finished the night with no points.

The Yellowjackets improved to 8-0 and can secure home-field advantage through the playoffs by beating Wayne and Wheeling Central in the final two weeks of the regular season. Williamstown will make the postseason for a 27th straight season. Coach Chris Beck said he was proud of players who filled in for JP Strobl, the team's leading tackler, leading receiver and top linebacker, who did not play. Beck credited coach Brian Adams and the staff for getting the defense ready each week.

Williamstown has allowed 78 points in eight games, tied with Mingo Central for the fewest in Class AA. Only Martinsburg (49) and Morgantown (69) have given up fewer points statewide. This was the sixth time this season the Yellowjackets have held an opponent under 10 points. Chapmanville scored 26 and Marietta, Ohio scored 14; Chapmanville is the only team to finish within 17 points of Williamstown. Doddridge County, which came in on a six-game win streak, finished with 196 total yards and ran 24 offensive snaps after its first two possessions. Beck said the defense has been good all season at all three levels.

Frankfort has won 36 straight and is the two-time defending state champion. Bluefield, last year's runner-up, has won seven straight. Sissonville is also 8-0. Independence has two losses. Beck said those teams are the top tier and that he does not care if people put Williamstown in that group. He said the Yellowjackets have 42 players and seven coaches and are focused on getting better each week. Williamstown is the Little Kanawha Conference champion and has beaten Roane County and Doddridge County in conference play.